My Friends,

To find purpose in life...what a gift from above...We have only been in Kenya a little over three months and I know God has shown me through this move what my purpose is.  It is not to continue to "do" things (He has blessed me to do much in my life). It is not to "be" someone (He has allowed me to lead many).  It is not to "achieve" anything (He has given me grace to achieve what many dream of)...it is simply to be His light to others and let them know, in both my actions and my words, about the true light of the world, Jesus...all else is simply the details.  Make no mistake, they say "the devil is in the details"...that is the problem; God should be in the details.  The details call me to be patient (sometimes doing "nothing"), sitting in a dark small room listening (not leading but learning how I can serve), and to be called a fool for His sake (my achievements mean nothing if they do not give glory to Him).  These are the details which escape me without His Grace...I am just not able on my own...but He is able.  Seek God's will for your life.  Maybe it will turn your world as you know it upside down, but the peace and contentment you will find in the midst of your upside down crazy existence will let you know He is God.

So what are we "doing" now?  To keep you updated on the happenings in Kenya is one of my responsibilities with the newsletter so here it goes:  1) We have had another visitor come and go over the last month.  I am so grateful when we are visited so others can experience living out the Gospel in Kenya.  I believe she enjoyed her trip and she is now a sponsor of one of our children,  2) Another donor has given funds to build a cow shed and purchase a cow.  The shed is almost done and we will be organizing to purchase a cow.  We are praying to have three of them when done so the kids can have milk daily and we might even have some to sell to assist in paying the expenses of the orphanage (see pictures on my face book album), 3) We are currently working on obtaining funds to ship the food from Feed My Starving Children.  We can ship in September if we have the funds.  Please lend your support to this most important matter if you are led...this will feed all 400+ children one meal each day for 1 1/2 years...thank you Lord for bringing us this far, 4) We have applied for registration of a non-profit here in Kenya.  This will allow us to work with the Kenyan government to bring in needed material (food, bus, clothing, medical, education stuff, etc) duty free.  We have made it through the initial review process and now are being considered for final approval, 5) Kenya made it through the vote on the new constitution without any violence...it did pass.  Now to see if the politicians can implement it...that is another story, 6) We have begun a fundraiser for mattresses for the dormitories.  They have not had any new "foam" for three years...some children are sleeping on the wires without mattresses (see an example of what the mattresses look like in my face book album).  Again, any support you can give to this endeavor will be appreciated (it only takes 100 people to donate $10 to have it all taken care of), 7) We are working with an individual who works for Nissan to see if they can assist us in purchasing a bus.  The old Nissan bus has been on its last leg for a while (at almost 200,000 miles) and is now on the verge of breaking down daily.  While it is expensive to continue this way, we have to...we have no other choice, 8) The separation of the local AIC church from the corrupt bishop has been challenged and his challenge failed...the separation will occur by the end of September...thank you God....o.k., enough already, but now you have a flavor for what has been occurring this last month.

What has been on my mind?...a lot.  I have been thinking a lot of how this is not the life I would have chosen if not for Jesus.  Don't get me wrong, His grace has led me to embrace it and love it...but only because I am living for Him.  It has shown me there is nothing good in me other than what He brings through the Holy Spirit...the fall from grace in the beginning affected us all and I am certainly not an exception...a deceitfully wicked heart came about.  There are days I look at Tammy and almost begin to cry thinking about the life she left in the US to be faithful to our Lord and submissive to my calling.  Those times are when He has to strengthen me and remind me it is all about Him, not me, not Tammy, simply being faithful to Him by His grace and through His Spirit.  The bottom line becomes without Him I am lost, I have no hope, I have no need for life (this one or the eternal).  The glory is with Him therefore I am rich beyond what I can imagine; I find His grace sufficient to get me through the toughest days.  I know serving Him is the best thing a person who calls Him "Lord" can do in this life.  I know, by His grace, I will see His unhidden glory someday and hear "well done good and faithful servant".  I know to live is Christ and to die is gain.  Not the life I would have chosen, but the One who I have chosen to follow by His grace!

Thank you for continuing to assist us in this calling.  Not having your own means of supporting yourself is quite daunting.  Not having any means to do any of the work God calls us to do is also simply depressing at times.  But, in both situations, the glory of God is seen because He moves those to help in both situations as He sees fit...for His glory and the good of His people.  Thank you for listening to that call.  I truly believe the poor and oppressed are here for our benefit so we can live out our salvation.  God has always called His people to sacrifice.  Before Jesus it was literally sacrificing animals.  Since Jesus it is a call of sacrificing our very lives to love Him above everything and love our neighbors as ourselves.  That calls us to sacrifice our time, talents and money for the good of His people who simply, in many instances because of where they were born, do not have their basic necessities met.  In the book of Acts it says "there was no need".  But before there was no need there was sacrifice by those God had graced with resource to assist.  If you have been graced to have resource beyond your need, reach out to those God calls us to assist; the widow, poor, oppressed, fatherless...help meet the need and see what your faith in action can do.

The website blog continues to be your daily window into life in Kenya...face book too.  Tammy diligently continues to post daily to the website blog.  Sometimes it is pictures of what is happening on the ground.  Some days it is what is on her mind.  She also talks about the kids and has a picture of one who needs sponsoring every Friday.  Also, look for her and me on face book (Tammy McDonald and Chuck McDonald).  It won't be hard to find us even though the names are common...I have not found another pair of McDonald's in Kenya.  We both post pictures of what has been happening on the ground in our albums there (I have just started, but Tammy has a lot of pictures).  Tammy also has many pictures and video on the website.  Also, you can contribute very easily by clicking here and going to our secure donation page.  In literally two minutes you can assist us with a one-time donation or a weekly, monthly or annual recurring donation...if you are led, we welcome your help.

Today is the day to begin your relationship with God anew.  Take time today to be with Him and know that He is God.  He loves you so much and even when times are difficult, He is there if you simply seek Him.  Mungu akubariki (God bless you) and asante (thank you) for taking the time to read this newsletter and supporting the impoverished children of Kenya.

Serving with you only by His grace,

Chuck

Missionary to Kenya